A political consultant who helped lobby for LGBT rights in Maryland has announced his candidacy in the District 16 House of Delegates race.
Kevin Walling, the former Director of Communications and Development for Equality Maryland, made his campaign official over the weekend. Walling is the fourth candidate to announce for the District 16 race, which is expected to draw more candidates seeking an anticipated two open seats.
At Equality Maryland, Walling lead PAC, fundraising and communications efforts in Annapolis for the group as it successfully pushed for same-sex marriage and other civil rights protections for LGBT residents in the state.
The 27-year-old New Jersey native and Catholic University alum also served as the national field director for No Labels, a group formed to end partisan gridlock in Congress. He now works as a political consultant for D.C.-based Stones’ Phones, a company that provides phone messaging for political candidates.
Walling’s website puts schools, environmental protection and economic development as some of his priorities.
Jordan Cooper, Marc Korman and Hrant Jamgochian have already announced for the race. Delegate Susan Lee is expected to run for State Sen. Brian Frosh’s vacant seat. Frosh is expected to run for Maryland Attorney General. Del. Bill Frick is expected to challenge Frosh for that position, leaving a second Delegate seat open.
Del. Ariana Kelly is running for re-election. She was elected to the House for her first term in 2010.
Orlee Panitch, an emergency physician who lives in Potomac, has opened a campaign account. When reached by phone, Panitch wouldn’t confirm if she was running.
Photo via Walling For Delegate on Facebook
